Modular assembly for coupling electrochemical units

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a modular assembly for coupling electrochemical units, including at least one module including a support frame for receiving at least two electrochemical units, the support frame including main fluidic connection means for coupling between juxtaposed modules and secondary fluidic connection means with the electrochemical units borne by the support frame.

The present invention relates to electrochemical installations, notably electrolysis installations.

There is an interest in easily adapting the power of such installations according to the requirements.

The aim of the invention is to satisfy this need, and it achieves this by virtue of a modular assembly for coupling electrochemical units, comprising at least one module comprising a support frame for receiving at least two electrochemical units, the support frame comprising:

-   -   main fluidic connection means for coupling between juxtaposed         modules,     -   secondary fluidic connection means with the electrochemical         units borne by the support frame.

By virtue of the invention, the power of the installation can be easily modulated according to the requirements by coupling more or fewer modules and by also acting, as necessary, on the number of units borne by a module.

Furthermore, the invention makes it possible to easily replace one unit with another for maintenance operations for example.

The support frame can comprise plates for receiving electrochemical units. The plates can support electrical connectors for supplying power to the electrochemical units, notably flameproof connectors (ATEX).

The support frame can comprise a column bearing the plates and the main and auxiliary fluidic connectors. The connectors can comprise integrated electrical or pneumatic valves.

The main fluidic connectors can be arranged on opposite faces of the column.

The plates can be arranged in twos on opposite faces of the column.

The frame can bear electrical power supply connectors that are common to all the electrochemical units of a module.

The common power supply connectors are preferably arranged on the top of the column.

The module can comprise relays allowing a selective electrical supply to the electrochemical units.

The secondary fluidic connection means are preferably equipped with valves with automatic closure in the event of disconnection.

The valves of the secondary fluidic connection means may comprise at least one anti-return valve. All valves secondary fluidic connection means may be anti-return valves. More particularly, the supply valves are anti-return valves. Preferably, one or more valves disposed between an electrochemical unit placed at the top and an electrochemical unit placed in the bottom are anti-return valves. Thus, in operation, it can be avoided that an electrochemical unit placed at the top run down in an electrochemical unit placed underneath.

The electrochemical units are preferably electrolysis units. The electrical power of a module is, for example, greater than or equal to 20 kW.

The modules can be identical, like the units.

Another subject of the invention is an electrochemical installation comprising a modular assembly and at least one electrochemical unit borne by a module.

The installation can comprise at least two modules each bearing at least one electrochemical unit, better at least four modules each bearing at least two units.

The invention will be able to be better understood on reading the following detailed description of a nonlimiting exemplary implementation thereof, and on studying the attached drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 represents a modular assembly according to the invention,

FIG. 2 represents a module on its own, with the electrochemical units removed,

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, the panels of the column of the frame being removed,

FIG. 4 is a front view according to IV of FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 with the electrochemical units in place,

FIG. 6 represents an interconnection element on its own,

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 4, with the electrochemical units in place,

FIG. 8 represents, in isolation, the assembly of the distribution or collection columns of a module,

FIG. 9 illustrates the system of connections from the power supply terminals to the different units,

FIG. 10 represents an electrochemical unit on its own, and

FIGS. 11 and 12 are views respectively from below and from above of the unit of FIG. 10.

The assembly 1 represented in FIG. 1 comprises a plurality of modules 10, in this case five in number, interconnected and receiving a plurality of electrochemical units 50.

Each module 10 comprises, as can be seen notably in FIGS. 2 to 4, a support frame 11 comprising a column 12 bearing top plates 20 each intended to support an electrochemical unit 50.

In addition to the column 12, the rack comprises two lateral bases 13 bearing bottom plates 20 each also intended to support an electrochemical unit 50.

The column 12 comprises a chassis 16 to which façade panels 17 are fixed, but which are removed in FIG. 3.

The chassis 16 supports top and bottom interconnection elements 30, one of which is represented in isolation in FIG. 6.

Two distribution columns 60 and 61 for the supply of electrolyte and two columns 80 and 81 for collecting electrolyte and gases produced extend inside the column 12 of the frame 11 to convey liquid or gaseous fluids to and from the electrochemical units 50.

The latter are preferably electrolysis units, in which case they must, as illustrated in FIG. 10, be passed through by an electrolyte circulating between an O₂ side electrolyte intake 70, an H₂ side electrolyte intake 72, an O₂ side electrolyte return 71 and an H₂ side electrolyte return 74.

The returns 71 and 74 respectively convey the gases O₂ and H₂. The electrolyte is, for example, a solution of H₂SO₄ (acid), of demineralized water or even a solution of KOH (basic).

All the intakes 70 of the units of one and the same module 10 communicate with the H₂ side electrolyte distribution column 60, nozzles 92 and couplings 170, the latter being borne by the chassis 16.

All the intakes 72 communicate with the O₂ side distribution column 61 via nozzles and couplings 172, the latter being borne by the chassis 16.

Inlet couplings 175 and 176 borne by the chassis 16 make it possible to recover the gases O₂ and H₂ produced by the electrolysis and are respectively connected by nozzles 83 to the recovery columns 80 and 81.

Preferably, the couplings 175 and 176, as well as the couplings 170 and 172, are equipped with connectors arranged to cooperate with corresponding connectors of the electrochemical units and at least one of each pair of connectors, even better both, is/are advantageously provided with valve which close automatically in the event of the removal of an electrochemical unit 50.

Each connection element 30 comprises main ducts 100 and 101 and auxiliary ducts 102 and 103. The auxiliary ducts 102 and 103 communicate respectively with the main ducts 100 and 101. Seals 110 are provided on the auxiliary ducts 102 and 103 and their symmetrical placements 104 and 105. The top connection element 30 is identical to the bottom connection element, but inverted.

Tappings 115 are provided in the element 30 for fixing the various columns and couplings.

The connection elements 30 can be produced by machining from the block or by casting or by other means.

The auxiliary ducts 102 and 103 emerge on the top face 108 of the bottom connection element 30.

Conversely, the auxiliary ducts 102 and 103 emerge on the bottom face 109 of the top connection element 30.

The columns 60, 61, 80 and 81 are fixed at their ends to the connection elements 30.

Thus, the H₂ and electrolyte recovery column 80 communicates at its top end with the main duct 100 of the top connection element 30 and is blocked at its bottom end by the bottom connection element 30 in the position 105.

The column 81 communicates at its top end with the main duct 101 of the top connection element 30 and is blocked at its bottom end by the bottom connection element 30 in the position 104.

The column 60 communicates at its bottom end with the main duct 101 of the bottom connection element 30 and is blocked at its top end by the top connection element 30 in the position 104.

The column 61 communicates at its bottom end with the main duct 100 of the bottom connection element 30 and is blocked at its top end by the top connection element 30 in the position 105.

Thus, the intake of the electrolyte for all the units 50 can be made via the main ducts 100 on the O₂ side and 101 on the H₂ side of the bottom connection elements 30 and the return of the electrolyte and of the H₂ and O₂ gases via the main ducts 101 on the O₂ side and 100 on the H₂ side of the top connection elements 30.

Two adjacent modules 10 can be linked together by flexible or rigid couplings 200 provided with flanges fixed at their ends to the facing connection elements 30, with the insertion of seals, so as to enable the main duct of a connection element to communicate with its neighbor.

The fluidic connection between two modules can be made by any connection means, notably using any type of coupling, but also quick release connectors or pipelines crimped, screwed or welded to the modules 10.

The same main ducts 100 and 101 of the same top and bottom elements 30 of the different modules are linked in series. Pipelines which are not represented communicate with the main ducts of the connection elements of an end module 10 for the operation of the assembly, being linked for example to one or more of the pumps and to storage tanks.

The electrical power supply conductors of the units of a module 10 emerge on the top of the module 10 via tabs 116 through corresponding piercings 117 produced in the connection elements 30.

As can be seen in FIG. 9, each module comprises relays 180 associated with each unit 50 which make it possible to electrically short-circuit this unit, the four units 50 being electrically linked in series.

As can be seen in FIGS. 10 to 12, each unit 50 comprises a mounting 150 intended to be fixed to the corresponding plate 20, a mounting on which are fixed two conductors 151 and 152 provided, for example as illustrated, with piercing 153 for the passage of fixing elements such as screws, in order to make it possible to press these conductors 151 and 152 against conductors on standby on the plates 20.

The mounting 150 has an inset 155 on the side of the various hydraulic couplings of the unit 50, which fits under a corresponding ridge 156 provided on the module 10. The conductors 151 and 152 extend in front of the inset 155. The mounting can be holed at 158 under the connection ends of the conductors 151 and 152 to allow the connection ends on standby on the plates 20 to be superposed on these connection ends.

The mounting 150 has openings 190 and 191 through which the plates of the unit are connected to the conductors 151 and 152. The number of units 50 per module is not limited to four and can vary. The number of modules can also vary.

As a variant, the electrochemical units can be fuel cell units or even rechargeable fuel cells (“flow batteries”).

Preferably, each module conforms to the ATEX flameproofing standards, by avoiding the production of sparks in the external environment. 

1. A modular assembly for coupling electrochemical units, comprising at least one module comprising a support frame for receiving at least two electrochemical units, the support frame comprising: main fluidic connection means for coupling between juxtaposed modules, secondary fluidic connection means with the electrochemical units borne by the support frame.
 2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, the support frame comprising plates for receiving the electrochemical units.
 3. The assembly as claimed in claim 2, the plates supporting the electrical connectors for supplying power to the electrochemical units, notably flameproof connectors.
 4. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, the support frame comprising a column bearing the plates and the main and auxiliary fluidic connectors.
 5. The assembly as claimed in claim 4, the main fluidic connectors being arranged on opposite faces of the column.
 6. The assembly as claimed in claim 4, the plates being arranged in twos on opposite faces of the column.
 7. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, the frame bearing electrical power supply connectors that are common to all the electrochemical units of the module.
 8. The assembly as claimed in claim 4, the frame bearing electrical power supply connectors that are common to all the electrochemical units of the module and the common power supply connectors being arranged on the top of the column.
 9. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, the module comprising relays allowing a selective electrical supply to the electrochemical units.
 10. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, the secondary fluidic connection means being equipped with valves with automatic closure in the event of disconnection.
 11. The assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the valves of the secondary fluidic connection means comprise at least one anti-return valve.
 12. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 the electrochemical units being electrolysis units.
 13. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, the electrical power of a module being greater than or equal to 20 kW.
 14. An electrochemical installation comprising a modular assembly as defined in claim 1 and at least one electrochemical unit borne by a module.
 15. The installation as claimed in claim 13, comprising at least two modules each bearing at least one electrochemical unit. 